We're tasked by the state with responding to wildfires. We study weather patterns, drought cycles and the status of vegetation across the state to predict when and where dangerous fire conditions may occur. Should a wildfire ignite, we maintain a statewide network of strategically-placed teams of firefighters and equipment so that we're able to respond quickly when the call comes.

Rural fire departments respond to 80 percent of wildfires in Texas - and they do it with shoestring budgets and almost entirely with volunteers. We help fire departments pay for needed training and equipment and help Texans learn how to prevent, prepare for and protect against wildfire.

With roughly 94 percent of forestland in Texas privately owned, the trees, forests—and the benefits they provide - rests in the hands of thousands of Texans. While keeping the entire state's forested landscape in mind, we inform and educate landowners on sustainable land management practices.

We work with communities to plant, care for and conserve trees. We empower local volunteers to make a positive impact in their communities. We are here to assist when disaster strikes with damage assessments, information, technical assistance and long-term recovery.

We analyze and monitor forests, landscapes and communities for susceptibility to health and wildfire risks. We take action with education, information, diagnosis and treatment. We know that any information we have is more powerful when we give it to you.

We can help quench your thirst for learning. Explore links to identify trees using their leaves and branches, create your own tree trails and experience Texas history from the perceptive of a witness tree. Share activities in the classroom to open up a world of conservation for new generations.

We're tasked by the state with responding to wildfires. We study weather patterns, drought cycles and the status of vegetation across the state to predict when and where dangerous fire conditions may occur. Should a wildfire ignite, we maintain a statewide network of strategically-placed teams of firefighters and equipment so that we're able to respond quickly when the call comes.

Rural fire departments respond to 80 percent of the wildfires in Texas - and they do it with shoestring budgets and a staff often made up almost entirely of volunteers. Sometimes they need a little help. Our programs help fire departments pay for needed training and equipment. We also help communities and property owners learn to prevent, prepare for and protect against wildfire.

With roughly 94 percent of the forestland in Texas privately owned, the management of our state's trees and forests - as well as the benefits they provide - rests in the hands of thousands of Texans. Who better than the state's tree experts to lead them? While keeping the entire state's forested landscape in mind, we inform and educate landowners on sustainable property management practices.

We work with communities to plant, care for and conserve trees where people live, work and play. We foster appreciation and stewardship of urban forests empowering local volunteers to make a positive impact in their communities. We are here to assist when disaster strikes. From damage assessment, to information and technical assistance, to long-term recovery - we help property owners and communities thrive.

Our experts research, analyze and carefully monitor forests, landscapes and communities for susceptibility to health and wildfire risks. We take action with education, information, diagnosis and treatment. We know that any information or knowledge we have is more powerful when we give it to you. As a state agency, our responsibility is share what we know.

If you have an unquenchable thirst for learning, we offer programs and information that you may either explore independently or share with a group. Learn about trees, forests, the benefits they provide and the challenges they face. Read stories about trees that are living witness to Texas history. Locate champion trees across the state. And bring activities into the classroom to open a world of conservation to a new generation.

PREPARE FOR WILDFIRES: PROTECT YOUR HOME

As a homeowner, you are not powerless in your defense against wildfires. By taking a proactive approach to wildfire prevention, you can significantly increase your safety and your home’s likelihood of survival during a catastrophic wildfire event.

The actions you take to mitigate the risk on your property before a fire occurs can make all the difference. Follow the guidelines below to ensure that your home has the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

+ Create Defensible Space with Firewise Landscaping

The idea of
Firewise landscaping (PDF, 13MB) is to create a separation between fuels a fire needs to continue burning. Fuels include trees surrounding your property, plants used in landscaping and even your home itself.

A healthy, well-maintained landscape is important to the survival of homes during a wildfire. Here are a few tips to make your landscape Firewise.

Within 30 feet of your home and its attachments:

Make sure plants are carefully spaced, low growing and free of resins, oils and waxes that burn easily.

Mow your lawn regularly.

Prune trees 6–10 feet from the ground.

Create a spacing of 30 feet between tree crowns.

Create a ‘fire-free’ area within 5 feet of your home, using non-flammable landscaping materials.

Remove dead vegetation from under the deck and within 10 feet of the house.

30 – 100 feet from your home:

Leave 30 feet between clusters of two to three trees, or 20 feet between individual trees.

Plant a mixture of deciduous trees, such as oaks and maples, and coniferous trees, like pines.

Create fuel breaks like driveways and gravel walkways.

Prune trees up 6–10 feet from the ground.

100 – 200 feet from your home:

Remove smaller conifers that are growing between taller trees.

Remove heavy accumulations of woody debris.

Reduce the density of tall trees so canopies do not touch.

The goal of Firewise landscaping is to lower the intensity of a wildfire as it approaches your home. Vegetation that encourages wildlife and enhances water or energy conservation goals can be part of a Firewise landscape as long as defensible space is maintained.

Hardening a home describes the process of reducing a home’s risk to wildfire by using non-combustible building materials, keeping the area around your home free of debris and taking steps to prevent embers from entering the home.

The materials you use to construct your home can determine whether your home will survive a wildfire. While you may not be able to accomplish all the measures listed below, each will increase your home’s chance of survival. Here are a few tips for fire resistant home construction (PDF, 2MB).

Roof and Gutters

Use fire-resistant roofing material such as metal, tile or Class A shingles.

Windows

Use drapes and shutters that are fire resistant to help reduce the likelihood of fire spread.

Vents

Install 1/8-inch metal screening behind vents.

Clean vents to keep them free of debris, allowing them to keep embers out while allowing air flow for ventilation.

Decks, Fencing and Skirting

Spread gravel or other non-combustible material under the deck.

Screen in the bottom of the deck with metal 1/8-inch screening.

Separate wooden fences from the house with a stone or metal barrier.

Use a non-combustible material for skirting around the foundation

Embers (PDF, 1MB) pose the greatest threat to a home. These fiery little pieces of wood shoot off from the main fire and get carried to other areas by fast-moving air currents. A high-intensity fire can produce a virtual blizzard of embers. Some can travel more than a mile before landing. They can get into the smallest places and easily start a fire that can burn down an entire home.

A quick response to a wildfire is critical for saving your home. Firefighting personnel must be able to quickly locate and safely travel to your home. Emergency responders may not be familiar with your community, so highly visible signs are important to help them find their way.

You must also remember that fire trucks are larger and heavier than normal vehicles, it is essential that all access lanes are wide enough, have proper clearance and can support the weight of fire vehicles. Here are a few tips to help improve access to your property:

Street Signs

At least 3-inches tall

Words on a contrasting color background

Made of reflective material

Made of fire resistant material

Visible from both directions

Addresses

Streets should be labeled, having different names and numbers.

Your home should have its own house number and be in numerical order along your street.

If your home is set back from the street, post your address at the end of your driveway where it is visible from the street.

If multiple homes share a single driveway, post all addresses at the entrance from the street and at each appropriate intersection along the driveway.

Roads

Single lane one-way roads should have turnout spaces at regular intervals to allow emergency vehicles access and cars to pass.

Plan roads to allow for safe evacuation and firefighter access.

Design a minimum of two primary roads in every development.

Public and private streets should be a minimum of 10 feet wide, in order to allow two traffic lanes.

Curves and intersections should be wide enough for large fire equipment to easily pass and turn.

Streets and bridges should be built to withstand at least 40,000 pounds

Roads and driveways must not be too steep or have sharp curves.

Dead end streets and long driveways should have a turnaround area designed as a T or circle large enough to allow emergency equipment to turn around.

Whether you live in a community with poorly labeled streets or at the end of a long dead end road, making sure emergency personnel can quickly locate and get to your home can increase your home’s chance of survival during a wildfire.

Here at West Texas Nursery, we grow high-quality, affordable tree and shrub seedlings for Texas landowners. Sold in bulk, these seedling are well-suited for use in wildlife plantings as well as natural resource conservation projects like windbreaks.

Trees Are Key with Paul Johnson has reached 19,000 listeners spanning 23 countries. Check out the latest podcast to learn more about trees, tree care, the benefits of trees and all the ways trees are important to people, communities and landscapes.

NEWSROOM

Nov. 10, 2016 — BUFFALO GAP, Texas — Ten years ago, Buffalo Gap, Texas became one of only three Firewise communities in the state.
The citizens of Buffalo Gap will commemorate their 10 th year as a Firewise community with a celebration held at City Hall Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. Texas A&amp;M Forest Service will presen

Nov. 2, 2016 — COLLEGE STATION, Texas —
Over 500 Texas A&amp;M Forest Service employees came together at the agency’s
annual personnel meeting Wednesday, Nov. 2.
Texas A&amp;M Forest Service employees
gathered to celebrate their dedication to the citizens and natural resources of
Texas. The meeting, held

Here at West Texas Nursery, we grow high-quality, affordable tree and shrub seedlings for Texas landowners. Sold in bulk, these seedling are well-suited for use in wildlife plantings as well as natural resource conservation projects like windbreaks.

Trees Are Key with Paul Johnson has reached 19,000 listeners spanning 23 countries. Check out the latest podcast to learn more about trees, tree care, the benefits of trees and all the ways trees are important to people, communities and landscapes.

Nov. 10, 2016 — BUFFALO GAP, Texas — Ten years ago, Buffalo Gap, Texas became one of only three Firewise communities in the state.
The citizens of Buffalo Gap will commemorate their 10 th year as a Firewise community with a celebration held at City Hall Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. Texas A&M Forest Service will presen

Nov. 2, 2016 — COLLEGE STATION, Texas —
Over 500 Texas A&M Forest Service employees came together at the agency’s
annual personnel meeting Wednesday, Nov. 2.
Texas A&M Forest Service employees
gathered to celebrate their dedication to the citizens and natural resources of
Texas. The meeting, held

We have been protecting and sustaining
forests, trees and related natural
resources since 1915. We offer programs
and services to help you make the most
of your land for generations to come.
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